[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9758-H9760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING MINUTE MAN HISTORICAL PARK ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 599) honoring the Minute Man National 
Historical Park on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 599

       Whereas, since September 21, 1959, Minute Man National 
     Historical Park has preserved key sites where the first 
     battles of the American Revolutionary War occurred, and 
     educated millions of Americans about the extraordinary events 
     that led to the birth of

[[Page H9759]]

     the Nation and the ideals embodied in those courageous 
     actions;
       Whereas Minute Man National Historical Park encompasses 
     more than 1,000 acres in the historic communities of 
     Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord that were at the center of 
     the American Revolution;
       Whereas the events, places, and people recognized by the 
     Minute Man National Historical Park have become enduring 
     testaments to American values and are among the most 
     celebrated and cherished symbols in the history of the 
     Nation;
       Whereas the Minute Man National Historical Park includes 
     multiple sites and landscapes along the route from Boston to 
     Concord, known as the Battle Road, where American Militia and 
     British soldiers fought numerous times on April 19, 1775;
       Whereas American militia were first ordered to return 
     British fire at Concord's North Bridge, a heroic action 
     commemorated by American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson in his poem 
     ``The Concord Hymn'' as the ``shot heard 'round the world'';
       Whereas the park celebrates Paul Revere's legendary 
     ``midnight ride'' of April 18, 1775, to warn American 
     colonists that British soldiers were marching to Concord to 
     destroy key military stores; and
       Whereas more than one million Americans from States across 
     the Nation and people from around the globe visit Minute Man 
     National Historical Park every year to learn about the role 
     that these New England communities played in the American 
     Revolution: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) Minute Man National Historical Park serves an essential 
     role in preserving the sites and landscapes in New England 
     where the American Revolution began, and in educating the 
     public about these historic events;
       (2) Minute Man National Historical Park honors and 
     commemorates the ideals of democracy, liberty, and freedom 
     that are the foundation of the Nation and sources of 
     inspiration for people everywhere; and
       (3) the creation of Minute Man National Historical Park 50 
     years ago represents a remarkable achievement that continues 
     to benefit Americans around the Nation, to preserve the proud 
     legacy of the American Revolution, and to serve as an 
     enduring resource for future generations.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 599 was introduced by our 
colleague from Massachusetts, Representative Ed Markey, and would 
recognize the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Minute Man 
National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts.
  Minute Man National Historical Park was established 50 years ago 
yesterday. It preserves for Americans and the world the places and the 
landscapes along the route from Boston to Concord, known as the Battle 
Road, where the first battles of our War of Independence were fought. 
The park also memorializes the renowned American soldiers, the 
Minutemen, trained volunteers who were always ready to march at a 
minute's notice.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 599 commemorates the enduring legacy of 
this Nation's fight for freedom, liberty and democracy and pays tribute 
to a park that celebrates the birthplace of American independence.
  I commend Representative Markey and his cosponsor, Representative 
Niki Tsongas, for their timely and diligent work on this resolution. I 
ask my colleagues to support passage of this measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On April 19, 234 years ago, the British commander in Boston sent a 
detachment of troops to nearby Lexington and Concord to impose what I 
am sure he thought was a perfectly reasonable gun control measure. 
After all, there wasn't any reason to allow people to possess guns in 
the park-like green commons of those pleasant little towns.
  Unfortunately for General Howe, the patriots disagreed. Fortunately 
for us, the men who stood their ground at Lexington, at Concord, and 
later at Trenton, at Saratoga and at Yorktown are the men who wrote our 
Constitution.
  And when they met in Philadelphia a decade later to form a more 
perfect Union, they still believed that we are endowed by our Creator 
with certain inalienable rights. They therefore set out to devise a 
government with only limited, enumerated powers so that they and their 
descendants would, they hoped, be citizens of a free Republic, not 
submissive subjects of an ever-expanding government.
  Our Constitution was written and ratified by the very Minutemen and 
patriots who fought for freedom in New England, the Middle Atlantic 
States and the South. That is why we have the Bill of Rights. They knew 
that private property rights, free exercise of religion, the individual 
right to keep and bear arms, and State's rights will always have 
opponents. That's why they are in the Constitution.
  So it is appropriate that we take time to honor the Minutemen who 
left us a legacy of freedom on this, the 50th anniversary of the Minute 
Man National Historical Park.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time and 
would inquire of the minority whether they have any additional 
speakers.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, with no additional speakers, I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
this resolution, which I have introduced with the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts, Ms. Tsongas, to honor the Minute Man National Historical 
Park on its 50th anniversary. Since its inception on September 21, 
1959, the park has played a vital role in protecting and preserving the 
sites in the towns of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord where the 
American Revolution began. For 50 years, the park has educated millions 
of Americans about the extraordinary events that led to the birth of 
our Nation.
  On April 19, 1775, American colonists in ``every Middlesex village 
and farm'' rose up to throw off the yoke of the English king and claim 
their inherent right to govern themselves. The Minute Man National Park 
preserves not just the sites, buildings, and landscapes where these 
momentous events took place but also the ideals of liberty, democracy, 
and self-determination that they embodied. The beliefs held in the 
actions of those spring days in April 1775 remain the cornerstone of 
our Nation and an inspiration to people everywhere.
  The Minute Man National Historical Park is comprised of 1,038 acres, 
which include 8 miles of trails and 136 historic structures. The park 
preserves multiple sites along the ``Battle Road,'' the 22-mile route 
from Boston to Concord where British soldiers and American militia 
first clashed on April 19, 1775.
  The park includes the famed North Bridge, in Concord, where American 
militia were first ordered to return the fire of the British regulars. 
Down the road, in Lexington, is the Lexington green, where the first 
shot was fired that morning and where eight American patriots lost 
their lives in the opening battle of the Revolutionary War.
  The park commemorates Paul Revere's ``midnight ride'' of April 18, 
1775, to raise the alarm that the British were marching to destroy 
military stockpiles and includes the site where Paul Revere was 
captured by a British patrol. Paul Revere's message was carried on to 
Concord by his colleagues, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, and 
that message resonates to this day--taught to school children 
everywhere--``A cry of defiance, and not of fear, a voice in the 
darkness, a knock at the door, and a word that shall echo for 
evermore!'' in the verse of the famous poem by Henry Wadsworth 
Longfellow.
  The park contains the Barrett farm in Concord, which was the home of 
Colonel James Barrett, and contained the militia weapons and munitions 
that British soldiers were marching on Concord to destroy. The park 
also includes the Wayside, which was once home to Nathaniel Hawthorne 
and Louisa May Alcott, and celebrates the writings of the first great 
American authors, whose voices were those of a free people.
  More than 1 million people visit the park every year to learn about 
these events that have become iconic symbols to every American. Thomas 
Boylston Adams, a descendent of President John Quincy Adams and the 
former president of the Massachusetts Historical Society, described the 
Battle Road as ``a long road, leading even to the present.'' The Battle 
Road was the first road marched by a people in search of liberty and 
the road that continues to prove to all people everywhere to this day 
that freedom is possible.
  The Minute Man National Historical Park continues to serve as a vital 
resource for future generations of Americans and a reminder

[[Page H9760]]

of the role that Massachusetts played in the creation of the most free 
and democratic nation in the world. I commend the fantastic work of the 
park in upholding these values that remain at the core of our American 
character and I urge my colleagues to adopt the resolution.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be speaking on behalf 
of H. Res. 599, a resolution honoring the Minute Man National 
Historical Park on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
  The park, located in Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln, Massachusetts, 
was established by Congress on September 21, 1959, and has enriched the 
lives of milions of visitors by preserving and sharing New England's 
seminal cultural and historical significance.
  Home to Hartwell's Tavern and the recent addition of Colonel James 
Barrett's farm, the park is where the ``shot heard 'round the world'' 
was fired, commencing the first battle of the American Revolution in 
1775. It is the inspiration for the creative work of Ralph Waldo 
Emerson and a priceless educational tool for students of all ages.
  The success of the park is a true testament to the collaborative 
efforts of the local and Federal Government and countless volunteers 
that dedicate themselves to ensuring that the park remains a true 
national treasure. This past Sunday, I attended the 50th anniversary 
gala to celebrate the success of the park and the hard work of all 
involved. I want to especially recognize Superintendent Nancy Nelson 
whose dedication to this national treasure has helped preserve its 
integrity and make certain that its historical significance will 
inspire many future generations.
  I would like to thank Mr. Markey for working with me on this 
important resolution and Chairman Rahall for bringing it to the floor.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 599 to celebrate the past 50 
years of one of our country's true historical riches and to recognize 
the park as valuable resource for future generations to enjoy.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 599.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________